Introduction

Many of us must have seen, and possibly tried, a radio control flight simulator on a computer. Maybe a fellow club member has one and you've tried it out round his house, only to be dragged off hours later. Alternatively, you might have had a go with one on a trade stand at a model show. There have been areas in the simulator environment where reality has seemed a long way from the computer screen. These limitations were accepted as an exciting new way to 'fly' when the weather was bad and simulators were thought to be entertaining.

The first generation simulators were used as training aids, with some success, even with their limited graphic displays. But the continual advances in IT technology has found its way into the radio controlled flight simulators.

When the RealFlight package arrived in the Editorial office there was a massive rush for the box and everyone immediately felt it suited their computer perfectly. However, upon installation in the nearest PC, we found that the video card wasn't sufficient to give the 'full monty' of 3D real flight graphics. With comments like "I hope it crashes your computer" and "We want it back on Monday", I buzzed off for the weekend to try it out. Shelving all other commitments for the next two days, I installed the CD and read the instructions. The transmitter is a 6 channel Futaba type and even has working trims, which my previous system certainly lacked. The 'feel' of the set was just right and I couldn't wait to get going!

The first thing you need to do is configure the transmitter to your own personal preferences and this is easily done by following the instructions and clicking through, as with any other program. I hit the 'Fly Now' button and was presented with a standard graphic display which didn't look like anything on the box! It dawned on me that my graphics card was just not up to the job. Although I was disappointed, I tried out the simulator with the graphics that were available and realized quickly that this system represented quite a leap forward in terms of realism. The model 'flew' very like the real thing and making small adjustments to the trims made it feel as if I was at the flying field.

What to do now? Where can I find a machine with the appropriate 3D graphics card. Inspiration—my mate Steave. Steave is not a modeler, although he has had a little play with my venerable T180 in the past, he is a computer whiz. I handed everything to him and asked him to see if his set-up could handle it.

That evening I had a very excited Steave on the phone, "You've just got to have a look at this, it's awesome!" I was straight round.

Steave took me through what he'd found, to say he was impressed with the technical side would be an understatement. I, on the other hand, could hardly believe the reality presented to me on the screen, the P-51 flew like a P-51! For the next few hours we explored this superb package.

From the model flyers point of view, the system comes programmed with nine different models: PT-40, Easy Flyer, Aero Sport, Glider, Super Hots, P-51, Spacewalker, and an Ultimate Biplane. So choose the plane that takes your fancy from the menu and let's go for a spin.

Having had a taster, let's take a closer look at the system and what it has to offer. Not only do we have nine airplanes to choose from, we also have five different choices of scenery for our flying site. You can choose from rolling grassy hills, which could easily be somewhere in Worcestershire, through to hilly desert terrain. Once you select a scenery you can further customize it by working through the menus. You can add all manner of things to your flying site like; a windsock, trees, buildings, a car park, stripes on the runway and even your fellow club mates in the form of spectators! (I'm sure the one leaning on the car is Gerry.)

Now you get to choose your sounds. Clearly you are going to want to hear your engine, but what about some other sound effects like tower talk, crickets chirping in the background. At my clubs there is always a flow of good natured banter, all part of the flying experience, even this is available! I thought I was at Tewkesbury when I heard someone say "Nice crash and go!" (Had to be Steave). You can have another plane in the air with you to keep you company.

How about some wind? This software allows you to program the wind direction, speed, gusts, and even thermal activity for the glider guiders amongst you!

You may not be satisfied with the flight characteristics of the nine planes provided. Possibly, you might like to create your own flight characteristics from another simple 'point and click' menu. You have the ability to change such parameters as the aircraft's weight, frontal area, side area, CG location, stance of the landing gear, size of the engine, horsepower, RPM, prop diameter and pitch, airfoil, wing area, aileron area, flap area, retracts, tail surfaces ... and so on, and so on, the list is tremendous! I am sure that there is no reason why you cannot set up a plane to suit your particular likes and needs.

Flying

This is what it's all about! This simulator utilizes what's termed as 'Real Physics'. To put it another way, the way the plane responds to control inputs, wind conditions, and so on, is very realistic. Having tried a number of simulators in the past this is very close to 'real flying'. It will be interesting to see how Steave gets on with it and how he manages the next time we have a go with the old T180.

The transmitter is a Futaba radio box with the four basic functions plus retracts, flaps, and spoilers. The radio also has real trims that you adjust to trim out the plane in flight.

I enjoyed flying the P-51 Mustang. This plane has retracts and flaps that respond very much like the 'real thing'. When you deploy the flaps the airplane balloons just as you would expect the model to. Pull the nose straight up, kick the rudder for a stall turn, and if you don't hold in a little rudder as the plane is coming down, the back end will develop a little waggle in just the same way the model does! The stall characteristics are almost the same.

Landings with the P-51 are a tad more tricky, than say with the PT-40. The other planes handle very much as you would expect the model to fly. The PT-40 trainer is docile, stable and forgiving. The Ultimate Biplane is a fast and furious aerobat and great fun to fly! The Spacewalker is the perfect model to relax with. The selection of nine airplanes within the programme covers virtually any flight characteristic you would want.

The flying sound effects are brilliant. By utilizing Doppler-correct stereo technology, you can actually hear subtle changes in the engine sound as the plane is flying away from you, passing to the right or left and climbing away. In the dive you can hear the engine unload—excellent!

Flying Views

One thing the simulator does do is to offer you a number of different perspectives. At the touch of a button, you are sitting in the cockpit of the P-51 gyrating around the sky, another touch and you are a chase aircraft, either directly behind or above and behind. I found the chase aircraft very interesting whilst trying to perfect an 8 point roll in a gusty 15 mph South Westerly.

The software has a zoom facility, either in or out from the default position, which helps one to keep track of the plane. Interestingly I didn't seem to have a problem when the model was flying a good distance away from me, so I didn't use the 'zoom in' a great deal. The zoom out was a useful function, especially when you are looking for the runway for a touch and go or landing.

Is that it?

The simulator should be a valuable aid to all pilots looking to maintain or develop their skills. Those who are endeavoring to perfect the more demanding maneuvers, rolling circles and the like, will find this system useful as the worry of losing a model is removed. I think this system should be valuable as a training aid for the student pilot and should help them progress quickly. There's more!

Great Planes tells me that in the future there may well be further aircraft and backgrounds available and some could be free downloads from Great Planes' web site! Another area being looked at is to put the relevant data into new kit instruction manuals so that they may be entered into the simulator. This means you could get to know the flying characteristics of your new model while you are building it. Now there's a thought!

Conclusion

This simulator would be an excellent investment for any modeler, be he novice or expert. The response is very realistic and accurate, it can certainly be used as a training aid, and it's damn good fun to boot!

Reprinted with permission.
June, 1998 R/C Model World
Editor: Peter Dawson